CFF All-America Team

CFF All-America Team

In case you’ve been living under a rock recently you’ll have noticed that we’ve been going draft mad these past few weeks. Our debut season of College Football Focus has seen us look at some of the top draft-eligible prospects and go into a level of detail never before seen.

But as we ready up for Roger Goodell to announce the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, we figured we’d take a slight detour. We’ve spent so much time looking at these guys as prospects that we probably haven’t given due to the players for their excellent performances during the year. So behold the first annual CFF All-America Team.

This isn’t about potential. This isn’t just about the draft-eligible guys out there. This is all about production and performance on the field of play in all FBS encounters. Let’s see who made it as first- and second-teamers.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Marcus Mariota, Oregon

The highest-graded QB on the year regardless of conference, Mariota was a dual threat, grading out first overall with his passing and fourth with his running amongst his peers from behind center. He was near immaculate for most of the year.

Key Stat: His 131.2 NFL QB rating was highest of any QB with at least 200 drop-backs.

Second Team: Nick Marshall, Auburn

Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

Made a statement with the eyes of the nation on him, leading Ohio State to a big win in the National Championship game in a performance that earned him our game ball. Consistently excellent runner who was asked to pass block seventh most in the nation as a true every-down back.

Key Stat: Elliot’s 7 yards per carry in Power 5 Outings were the second most of any back with at least 200 carries.

Second Team: James Connor, Pittsburgh

Wide Receiver #1: Amari Cooper, Alabama

Routinely made SEC football seem unfair, proving an utter mismatch with his talent and nous too much on an almost weekly basis. Underrated after the catch and near unstoppable before it, he was the leading light on an Alabama team that made it to the playoffs.

Key Stat: His 26 forced missed tackles were joint most of all wide receivers.

Second Team: Nelson Agholor, USC

Wide Receiver #2: Rashard Higgins, Colorado State

Watch out for this guy, who led the nation with 17 touchdowns and was extremely prolific for CSU. Outside of a sluggish start to the season against Colorado he graded positively in every game (all bar two of which he had at least 100 yards receiving).

Key Stat: His 4.45 Yards Per Route Run were the most of any wide receiver in the FBS.

Second Team: DeVante Parker, Louisville

Wide Receiver #3: Tyler Lockett, Kansas State

This favorite of Sam Monson (and pretty much anyone else who spares a couple of hours to watch him) finished third overall in our wide receiver grading with his ability to make plays down the field especially impressive.

Key Stat: 16 receptions of at least 20 yards in the air were third most of all receivers.

Second Team: Tony Lippett, Michigan State

Tight End: Maxx Williams, Minnesota

Grading out in the Top 10 of both our receiving and run blocking rankings at the tight end spot, it’s easy to see why most view Williams as the top tight end available in the draft. A polished player his work in 2014 saw him romp to the highest grade of all his peers.

Key Stat: His 2.72 Yards Per Route Run were fifth most of all tight ends.

Second Team: Hunter Henry, Arkansas

Left Tackle: Jack Conklin, Michigan State

How good was Conklin? He graded at better than a +1.0 in all bar one game (a +0.1 grade against Oregon) has his player page filled with green (positive) marks for run blocking and pass protection. A stellar year from a player who was dominant blocking for the run especially.

Key Stat: Had the highest run blocking grade of any left tackle.

Second Team: La’el Collins, LSU

Left Guard: Dorian Johnson, Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Puller. Their power scheme relied on Johnson being able to pull, locate targets and execute blocks quickly. That he did and while he wasn’t asked to do as much in pass pro, when you run block with the level of dominance he did, you still make the team.

Key Stat: Highest run blocking grade of any left guard.

Second Team: Arie Kouandijo, Alabama

Center: Greg Mancz, Toledo

Even accounting for some of the level of competition he faced, Mancz was still the most productive performing center during 2014. The Toledo Rocket proved an immense asset as he topped our rankings with a series of stunning displays.

Key Stat: Graded in the green in every single game.

Second Team: Joey Hunt, TCU

Right Guard: Matt Rotheram, Pittsburgh

Our top-ranked guard on the year was used to perfection in Pittsburgh. His polish and power was rarely not on show as he and Clemmings powered guys off the line of scrimmage and got their running back to the second level.

Key Stat: Graded positively in all bar one game for his run blocking.

Second Team: Laken Tomlinson, Duke

Right Tackle: T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

You can only beat what is in front of you and Clemmings really beat what was in front of him in the ACC. The level of opposition helped him somewhat in pass protection, but there’s no escaping that in the run game he was something else altogether. A complete bully, he punished anyone he got his hands on.

Awesome, awesome list. I have one question though, and I’m wondering if Kendall Fuller was among the best cbs? He seemed to dominate everyone he’s gone against since his freshman year.

Family Coaching Tree

Pitt has 3 guys on the team, the leading Rusher in the ACC and top 5 nationally in James Connor and a top WR in Tyler Boyd yet only won 6 games. That takes some real good coaching to underperform like that. And Wisconsin hires the schmoe. lol